FINDING AID

AUBURN UNIVERSITY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS & ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT

Guide to the Whitfield Family Papers, RG 863

Listed by: Alfrieda Brummitt
Date: January 21, 2000

Date Span: 1863-1990

Biographical Sketch: Nathan Bryan Whitfield (1798-1868) moved his family and slaves from Lenoir Co., N.C., to Marengo Co., Ala., in 1835. He took part in expanding the cotton culture into the Old Southwest and built Gaineswood mansion in Demopolis.

Scope / Content: Contains correspondence of N. B. Whitfield, family patriarch, as well as members of his family. Also contains personal records such as grade reports and army service records. Plantation financial records complete the collection.

SERIES 1: CORRESPONDENCE

Accession 90-025: Box 1
    1. Letter, B.W. Whitfield to James E. Martin, Auburn University
    2. Letter, James E. Martin to B.W. Whitfield, February 19, 1990
    3. Letter, Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, November 5, 1882
    4. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Father, November 10, 1882
    5. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Father, February 8, 1883
    6. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Bryan, February 9, 1883
    7. Postcard, A.F. Whitfield to Mrs. Jas. B. Whitfield, June 3, 1883
    8. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Uncle Needham, June 9, 1883
    9. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Uncle Needham, October 8, 1883
    10. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Jessie, October 14, 1883
    11. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Uncle Needham, December 7, 1883
    12. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Sissy, December 14, 1883
    13. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Father, December 23, 1883
    14. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Mammy, February 10, 1884
    15. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Mammy, February 17, 1884
    16. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Father, April 8, 1884
    17. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Aunt Edith, May 25, 1884
    18. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Father, September 24, 1884
    19. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Mammy, October 12, 1884
    20. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Mammy, November 9, 1884
    21. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Father, December 15, 1884
    22. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Father, March 18, 1885


    Accession 90-042; Box 1
     

    1. Gen. James B. Whitfield to brother (Nathan B. Whitfield), August 22, 1838
    2. Peyton King to Nathan B. Whitfield, May 11, 1844
    3. Wade Keyes to Nathan B. Whitfield, March 22, 1852, with clipping
    4. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, March 18, 1885
    5. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Mammy, March 22, 1885
    6. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, April 25, 1885
    7. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Mammy, August 6, 1885
    8. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Sissy, August 6, 1885
    9. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, October 29, 1885
    10. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, December 7, 1885
    11. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Oop, December 18, 1885
    12. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, December 20, 1885 with letter from Senator Cockrell to B.W. Whitfield (Whitfield’s father)
    13. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Mammy, March 28, 1886
    14. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, July 12, 1886
    15. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, August 7, 1886
    16. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, December 18, 1886
    17. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Mammy, March 19, 1887
    18. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Hun, August 21, 1887
    19. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Mammy, October 29, 1887
    20. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, April 17, 1888
    21. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Mammy, April 17, 1888
    22. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Mammy, June 24, 1888
    23. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, October 9, 1888
    24. Mary, Augustus Foscue Whitfield’s Wife to Father (father-in-law), March 5, 1889
    25. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, April 29, 1889
    26. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, August 25, 1889
    27. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Sissy, September 6, 1889
    28. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, September 6, 1889
    29. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, September 8, 1889
    30. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, November 3, 1889
    31. Augustus Foscue Mary, Whitfield’s wife, to Father, December 5, 1889
    32. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, December 5, 1889
    33. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Sissy, December 16, 1889
    34. Augustus Foscue Whitfield to Father, January 15, 1890
    35. Mrs. Whitfield to Mrs. M.E. McLure, May 1886 with clipping
    36. T.W. Whitfield to Father, October 2, 1910


    Accession 90-114; Box 1
     

    1. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, February 8, 1883
    2. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, March 16, 1884 (2 copies)
    3. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, June 10, 1884
    4. Letter, A.F. Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, February 2, 1885
    5. Photocopy of Photograph, Galloway School, Alabama, 1897
Accession 92-076
1. Letters between Whitfield family and General Nathan B. Whitfield re: marching slaves from Florida to where Whitfield was relocating in Alabama, 1834.
Accession 92-084
1. 4 letters, Nathan B. Whitfield to Rachel Whitfield McRory (niece), 1848-1862.



 

SERIES 2: MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Accession 90-025: Box 1
    1. Share Certificate, BryanW. Whitfield (Sr.), Briarfield Iron Works Co., February 14, 1867
    2. Stock Certificate, Bryan W. Whitfield (Sr.), Selma and Meridian Rail Road Company, December 16, 1874
    3. Bank notes: Eastern Bank of Alabama, Eufaula ($20); Marengo County, 1866, ($3); State of Alabama, January 1, 1863 (5- and 10-cents)
    4. E.W. Burkhardt, "Gaineswood", Birmingham News-Age Herald, October 26, 1934
    5. Brochure: "Gaineswood – A National Historic Landmark"
    6. Pamphlet: "Gaineswood and Other Memories," by Jesse G. Whitfield
    7. Letter, J.G. deRoulhac Hamilton to Mr. Bryan Whitfield, October 15, 1950
Accession 90-042; Box 1
    1. Dental Bill for Major M.E. Whitfield, June 24, 1843
    2. Dental Bill for Mary, daughter of Gen. Nathan B. Whitfield, July 28, 1844
    3. Hunt’s Merchant Magazine, December 1846
    4. Concert Program for the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, December 22, 1881
    5. Concert Program for the Cincinnati Conseratory of Music, May 8, 1882
    6. "Reminicences [sic] of the Building of Ponchartrain Bridge," by Jesse Whitfield, 1927
Accession 90-063; Box 1
    1. Dr. Bryan W. Whitfield: Stock Certificate for Alabama & Mississippi Railroad, April 23, 1864
    2. Dr. Bryan W. Whitfield Stock Certificate for Briarfield Iron Works, February 14, 1867
    3. Dr. Bryan W. Whitfield: Stock Certificate for Selma & Meridian Railroad, December 10, 1874
    4. Letter from Kemp P. Battle, President of University of North Carolina to Dr. Bryan W. Whitfield, September 5, 1878
    5. Letter from Kemp P. Battle to friends and alumni of UNC re: upgrading of campus, 1878
    6. Marengo County Money ($3 certificates), 1886
    7. Concert Poster, June 1866
    8. "Reminiscences of Octogenarian" by M.A. Ross, March 22, 1908
Accession 90-133; Box 1
    1. Brochure, "History and Guide to the Parish of Whitfield," post 1966
    2. Brochure, "The Henry Whitfield House," 1979 Article, "America’s Oldest House at Guilford"
    3. Will, R.E. Lee, August 31, 1846
    4. Article, "Dahlonega, or Georgia Gold Region" from Journal of Mining and Manufacturers. Based on a letter dated April 30, 1848.
    5. Article, "Mobile and Ohio Railroad" from Hunt’s Merchants’ Magazine and Commercial Review, December 1848
    6. Report, "Commissioner and Trustee to settle the affairs of the State and Bank and Branches to the General Assembly," 1853
    7. Article, Biographical Sketch of Francis Strother Lyon
    8. Manual: "Army, Navy, and Census," 1861
    9. Book, Plantations of the Old South by Henry Wiencek, 1988
    10. Stationary, Gaineswood ______ 186__.
    11. Letter, to Jefferson Davis from R.E. Lee, July 8, 1863
    12. Postcard, pictures Jefferson Davis’ Chair
    13. Original Confederate Bond, $1,000 coupon issued March 2, 1863
    14. Confederate Army Soldiers discharge of Bryan Whitfield, August 19, 1862
    15. Receipt, resort at Bladon Springs, July 13-August 10, 1865
    16. Pardon, from President Andrew Johnson to B.W. Whitfield, September 12, 1865
    17. Oath of Allegiance, by B.W. Whitfield, October 20, 1865
    18. Letter, to Bryan W. Whitfield from brother, W.G. Whitfield, January 6, 1868
    19. Article, "Vicksburg and Port Hudson" + Map, Civil War Battlefields, 1861-1865
    20. Income Tax form, 1866
    21. Needham Whitfield, "An Old Man’s Advice to the Rising Generation," Aberdeen Examiner, June 24, 1866.
    22. "Letter to J.P. Powell, Esq. From Col. F.E. Whitfield, Sr.", Booneville Pleader, September 17, 1885 (2 copies)
    23. Brochure, "The Presentation of the Samurai Sword to the Town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts," July 4, 1918
    24. Misc., articles


    Accession 91-138
     

      Microfilm:  10 reels of family and business correspondence of the Whitfield family, primarily of Nathan B. Whitfield, who moved from Lenoir County, North Carolina, to Marengo County, Alabama, in 1835. Whitfield built Gaineswood, near Demopolis. Correspondents include Elizabeth Whitfield, Nathan’s wife, and other members of the immediate and extended family.


    Accession 92-045
     

      1. Will and legal documents re: Augustus Foscue (d. 1861), Marengo County planter and father-in-law of Bryan W. Whitfield (1828-1908).

 

SERIES 3: SCHOOL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Accession 90-063; Box 1
    1. Letter from M.E.W. [Mary Elizabeth Whitfield] to Mother, March 14, 1835
    2. Grade Report from Greensborough Female Academy, March 14, 1835
    3. Letter from M.E.W. to Mother, October 10, 1839
    4. Receipts for tuition and board at Salem Seminary for Young Ladies, 1839-1842
    5. Letter from John C. Jacobson, Head of Salem Seminary for Young Ladies, 1839-1842
    6. Letter from M.E.W. to Father, January 14, 1842
    7. Grade Report from Judson Female Institute, December 1843
    8. Grade Report from Demopolis Male Academy for Bryan, Needham, George, & Richard Whitfield, with letter from M. Palmer, Head, to Gen. Nathan B. Whitfield, August 30, 1844
    9. Bursar’s Office Accounts from University of North Carolina for Bryan Whitfield with letter from David L. Swain, President, re: University Policies, December 1, 1846
    10. Bursar’s Office Accounts from University of North Carolina for Needham Whitfield with letter from David L. Swain, President, re: University Policies, December 1, 1848
    11. Letter from M.P. Jewett, Head of Judson Female Institute, to Gen. Nathan B. Whitfield, August 11, 1848
    12. Grade Report from Judson Female Institute for Charlotte Ann Elizabeth Whitfield, January 1849
    13. Grade Report from Judson Female Institute for Frances Jane Whitfield
    14. Letter from N.B.W. [Nathan B. Whitfield] to Father, April 1, 1851
    15. Grade Report from Green Springs School with note from Henry Tutwiler, Head, April 10, 1851
    16. Letter from Marion College Seminary announcing appointment of Mr. & Mrs. H.P. Hatfield as principals (circa 1846 to 1849)
    17. Letter from Masonic Institute announcing appointment of Mr. & Mrs. H.P. Hatfield, late of Marion Female Seminary, as principals, July 24, 1849
Accession 92-062; Box 1
    1. Nathan Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, August 26, 1839
    2. Francis Lyon to John Jacobson, August 28, 1839
    3. Nathan Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, August 31, 1839
    4. Nathan Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, September 3, 1839
    5. Nathan Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, September 9, 1839
    6. Mary Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, September 20, 1839
    7. Rachael Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, September 26, 1839
    8. Mary Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, October 7, 1839
    9. Rachael Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, October 9, 1839
    10. Mary Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, October 16, 1839
    11. Rachael Whitfield to Nathan Whitfield, October 23, 1839
    12. Mary Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, November 2, 1839
    13. Mary Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, November 18, 1839
    14. Mary Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, December 4, 1839
    15. Rachael Whitfield to Nathan Whitfield, December 10, 1839
    16. John Jacobson to Nathan Whitfield, January 3, 1840
    17. Rachael Whitfield to Nathan Whitfield, February 5, 1840
    18. Mary Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, February 14, 1840
    19. Mary Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, April 18, 1840
    20. Mary Whitfield to Nathan and Elizabeth Whitfield, August 9, 1840
    21. John Jacobson to Nathan Whitfield, [August 22, 1840]
    22. Mary Whitfield to Nathan and Elizabeth Whitfield, October 3, 1840
    23. Mary Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, October 22, 1840
    24. Mary Whitfield to Rachel Whitfield, January 21, 1841
    25. Mary Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, April 29, 1841
    26. Mary Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, April 19, 1841
    27. Mary Whitfield to Nathan Whitfield, July 27, 1841
    28. Mary Whitfield to Elizabeth Whitfield, August 20, 1841
    29. Mary Whitfield to Bryan Whitfield, September 5, 1841
    30. Mary Whitfield to Nathan Whitfield, January 14, 1842
    31. John Jacobson to Nathan Whitfield, May 12, 1842
    32. John Jacobson to Nathan Whitfield, No Date
    33. Board and Tuition Receipts, September 9, October 7, 1839, July 29, 1840
    34. Account of Expenses, May 9, 1840
    35. Account of Mary Whitfield Expenses, July 27, 1840
    36. Account of Mary Whitfield Expenses, 1840-1841
    37. Account of Mary Whitfield Expenses, 1840-1841
    38. Account of Mary Whitfield Expenses, 1841
Accession 94-036
    1. Letters re: education of Sally, Rachael, Charlotte, Frances, and Nathan B. Whitfield, Jr., including reports from the Dayton Female Seminary, Marion Female Seminary (Judson College), and the University of Alabama.



 

SERIES 4: RESEARCH MATERIALS: Compiled by Kayla Barrett re: "The Whitfields Move to Alabama: A Case Study in Westward Migration, 1825-1835," The Alabama Review 48 (April 1995): 96-113.

Accession 96-040; Box 1
  1. 1825-31

    2.  
  2. 1832-33

    3.  
  3. 1834

    4.  
  4. 1835

    5.  
  5. 1836-38

    6.  
  6. Slaves

    7.  
  7. Deeds

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